“Well actually, that is what I am calling about,” I say, taking a deep breath before dropping my bombshell. “I’m not coming back home.”
There is a long pause. Then, “What?”
“Lucy and I have decided to move here.”
“You’re kidding me,” says Erin, still in shock.
“No, I’m being totally serious, Erin. Things are going so great with the three of us. I mean, we have so much to learn about each other still, but I can finally say my heart is healed. I feel so alive again just looking at the way Luke and Lucy are with each other.”
I stop to take a breath so I can continue, but Erin interrupts before I can.
“Oh, Shayne. Listen to the way you talk. You’re happy and I am so glad for you. I am not going to say we won’t miss you because we will, but this is what you have always wanted. I can hear just how happy you are by the tone of your voice.”
“I can’t even begin to tell you everything, but I wanted you to know that as soon as I can, Adam and I will come down there and get all my stuff so you can rent the house out again.”
“Well, things surely won’t be the same around here without the two of you, that’s for sure. Sierra is going to miss Lucy like crazy. I sure wish we could just pack up and move out of here.”
“You should!” I tell her. “I know how much you hate your job, and hell, you haven’t even heard from Sierra’s dad in four years.”
Instantly an idea pops into my head.
“Erin, why don’t the two of you move up here? The girls would be able to start school together. There really isn’t anything keeping you there.”
“I can’t just up and move like that without having a job, Shayne! I know managing all these houses isn’t the best paying job, but I make enough to take care of Sierra and myself.”
“Listen, Erin. Aunt Judy’s house is going to just sit empty. With Luke and Adam and all their resources, I know we can find you a job. Just think about it, okay?”
“Yes, I will think about it. So when do you think you will be coming down?”
“I need to call Adam and see if he is available to help me for a few days. I will call you as soon as I know.”
After chatting for a few more minutes, I hang up and tell Lucy I have to make one more call and I start to dial the clinic to let them know my news also. Gretchen answers the phone right away. I just adore her. She is in her early sixties and has treated me like a daughter since the first day I started working for the three doctors who run the clinic. She knows everything about Lucy and Luke and has always been very supportive.
“Hi, Gretchen. It’s Shayne. How are you?”
“Doing well, sweetheart. How are you?”
“Not too bad, actually. I miss my aunt terribly, but I feel her with me.”
“Your aunt was a lovely lady, honey. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call, Shayne?”
I tell Gretchen everything about what has happened in the past few weeks I have been here.
“I could not be happier for the two of you, dear. Let me transfer you to one of the doctors so you can tell him. You will be missed around here but I do think you are doing the right thing. Just be careful with that heart of yours.”
After saying goodbye, she transfers me to Doctor Richardson, who is so understanding. He tells me that they will give me any type of recommendation I need once I start looking for a new job. Breathing a sigh of relief, I stand up and gather my purse off the counter. Hustling Lucy away from the television and into the garage, I close up the house and set the alarm by punching in the code that Luke had given me earlier. I buckle Lucy into her seat and we take off for our day of shopping.
Finding a parking spot, Lucy and I sit there and wait to Camillia to arrive. As I am watching people come and go out of the store, I get this intense feeling that someone is watching me again. I turn and look around very casually as I try not to let Lucy notice.
What the fuck? Why am I getting these strange feelings? I sit there for a few moments but then I grab my phone out of my purse to call Luke. Just as I do, my phone starts to ding letting me know I have a text message. I glance at it and it is Camillia informing me that she is inside the store. Turning the car off, I decide I will wait and tell Luke about this tonight when we are by ourselves. I climb out of the car and after unbuckling Lucy, I pick her up and rush into the store where Camillia is waiting right where she said. Bending down, she exchanges ‘good mornings’ and hugs with Lucy.
Camillia then brings herself up, looking at me with concern all over her face.
“Shayne? Are you all right, dear?” she whispers, walking a little closer to me.